FAQs
BEAM Certificate Program
Who should enroll in the BEAM Certificate Program?
BEAM was designed by public health professionals for public health professionals to strengthen foundational business skills across the public health profession. Among the individuals who will benefit from the course are governmental and non-profit public health professionals focused on project budgeting, RFP and contract development, and project risk management. Public health graduate students can also benefit from the business-focused courses.
What topics does the curriculum cover?
BEAM covers public health administration and management topics critical to successfully developing and implementing public health initiatives, building thriving organizations and promoting positive community outcomes. The 15- to 20-hour interactive program is based on six areas public health professionals have identified as learning priorities: Strategic Problem Definition, Budgeting, Procurement Contracts, Contract Monitoring, and Financial Health.
How do individuals and organizations benefit from BEAM?
The University of Miami and the de Beaumont Foundation developed BEAM to address business knowledge gaps that more than half of governmental public health workers had identified as the profession’s top training need. Individual learners gain critical professional knowledge that complements existing skills, strategic and analytical skills, and a credential from a leading university. Organizations benefit from BEAM by promoting best practices that increase funding opportunities and improve community outcomes, providing valuable employee recruitment, development and retention opportunities, and fulfilling accreditation requirements. Learn more here
How do I know if BEAM is right for me or for my organization?
BEAM is an excellent program for both governmental and non-profit public health professionals, as well as for public health graduate students looking to develop their foundational business skills. Examples and case studies draw from real-world historical and contemporary governmental public health scenarios that are relevant across the public health sector. Learn more here
Are in-person sessions required? Or is the course entirely online?
The BEAM Certificate Program is completed entirely online and is self-paced. That means participants can take the courses on their own schedule and at their own pace. In order to earn the certificate, the course must be completed within three months from the time you start.
How is the BEAM Certificate Program different from other programs?
The program is built on practice experience and expertise. BEAM was designed
by nationally recognized public health leaders and practitioners at the University of Miami’s public health and business programs, the de Beaumont Foundation, and other organizations.
Is there an opportunity to interact with the faculty?
This is an asynchronous course, so interactions with faculty members are not integrated into the curriculm.
Is the curriculum directly relevant to the public health workplace?
Yes! Students who successfully complete the BEAM Certificate Program will have an understanding of basic budgeting in public health, finance, accounting, contracts, process management, and strategic thinking. Real-world public health case studies tie together the learning material, so students will be able to immediately apply what they learn as part of their daily professional responsibilities and organizational processes.
Are there any prerequisites or language requirements?
There are no pre-requisite courses for the BEAM Certificate Program. The course is conducted in English.
How long is the course?
The BEAM Certificate Program is self-paced and can be completed between 15-20 hours over a period of up to three months.
When is BEAM offered?
BEAM accepts registrations on a rolling basis.
How much does the course cost?
BEAM offers a number of attractive pricing options for individuals and organizations. The course costs no more than $500 per individual, but early registration discounts are available, as are volume discounts. Learn more here
Does BEAM provide discounts for organizations?
Yes! Discounts increase based on the number of courses purchased by each organization. The higher the number of students, the higher the discount. Learn more here
What happens after enrolling in the course?
Students will receive a confirmation email with information on how to access the course via the University of Miami’s Thought Industry's learning platform.
What happens after successfully completing the course?
A digital certifcate will be immediately upon completion.
Are there any technical considerations to be aware of?
You should have an up-to-date web browser such as Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Internet Explorer. BEAM works best with Chrome.
Is technical support available?
For technical concerns with the University of Miami’s Blackboard Learning platform, please contact 305-284-3949, Monday – Thursday: 9am-9pm, Friday: 9am-6pm, Saturday & Sunday: 9am-2pm or via email learningplatforms@miami.edu.
Who should I contact with additional questions?
Call 305-284-4000 or email opa@miami.edu. Our enrollment advisors can answer any questions or schedule a meeting to discuss your goals and opportunities.